WWE Money in the Bank: Why It's Reliably One of the Best PPVs of the Year

WWE’s annual July pay-per-view, Money in the Bank, only debuted in 2010, but it is already consistently one of the best events of the year. From the incredible ladder matches to the impact it has on the company’s future titleholders, Money in the Bank is always a must-see show.

Money in the Bank began as a featured type of match at WrestleMania starting in 2005. Chris Jericho pitched the idea to then-Raw general manager Eric Bischoff, who decided it was a great idea.

From 2005 until 2010, WWE would feature one Money in the Bank ladder match at the show of shows, with one lucky Superstar receiving the briefcase that would allow them an immediate world title opportunity at any time.

During those years, Edge, Rob Van Dam, Mr. Kennedy, CM Punk and Jack Swagger won Money in the Bank briefcases. Kennedy, however, lost his briefcase in a match on Raw against Edge.

It was an unfortunate situation, as Kennedy had been injured and thus was forced to give up the briefcase.

While for the first five years only one Superstar would hold Money in the Bank, WWE decided, in 2010, to make the match its own pay-per-view event.

This change actually caused two Superstars to earn the opportunity to win Money in the Bank. With the brands still split, there would be a Raw Money in the Bank ladder match and one for SmackDown as well.

The chance to cash in on an injured world champion helps make Money in the Bank one of the best pay-per-views. It is essentially guaranteeing that this Superstar (unless you’re Mr. Kennedy or John Cena) will be world champion within a year.

Of course, I say John Cena, since he is the first and only Superstar to cash in and lose when he challenged CM Punk at Raw 1000.

For the most part, Money in the Bank has pushed younger stars into the main event. CM Punk, Jack Swagger, The Miz and Daniel Bryan were all midcard Superstars when they won Money in the Bank. Although Swagger and Miz fell down the ladder after their world-title runs, Punk and Bryan have only risen in the company since winning Money in the Bank.

WWE fans, especially myself, love to see Superstars develop and rise to the main event level. Money in the Bank has been a catalyst for this and one of the biggest reasons for its success.

However, let’s not forget that the ladder match itself is one of the most entertaining and popular types of matches in WWE.

From the time Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon began the tradition, WWE fans have had the pleasure of watching many Superstars fly off the top of a ladder onto their opponent. Much credit is due to The Dudley Boyz, Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian for taking the ladder match to another level by adding tables and chairs.

Having a ladder match as a pay-per-view focus would not be enough. Take a look at Hell in a Cell. Last year, only one match was held in the cell, and I would argue it was absolutely unnecessary. Take five to 10 of the youngest, hungriest and/or best Superstars in the company and put them in a ladder match with a nearly guaranteed world title on the line, and you have one of the best pay-per-views of the year.

Do you think Money in the Bank is reliably one of the best pay-per-views of the year? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.